New Delhi: On a day when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached Rs 1.16-crore worth of assets belonging to son Karti, former finance minister P Chidambaram hit out saying these are efforts to 'silence' his voice.
The ED is probing Karti for receiving alleged kickbacks in getting FIPB clearance in the Aircel Maxis deal when his father was the union finance minister. On Monday, the agency said it has issued a provisional attachment order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) attaching assets "of Karti in the form of fixed deposits and balance in saving bank account to the tune of Rs 90 lakh approximately." It further added that another Rs 26 lakh fixed deposits in the name of a firm Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited (ASCPL) has also been attached under provisions of the anti-money laundering law.
Chidambaram however shot back at the allegations calling them false.
"I have read the Press Note released by the Enforcement Directorate. It cleverly skirts the issue of jurisdiction of the ED when the only charge sheet filed in the case (Aircel-Maxis) has been quashed by the Special Judge," he said. "The allegations in the Press Note are a crazy mixture of falsehoods and conjectures. The Press Note is intended to intimidate me and to silence my voice. I will not be intimidated."
Chidambaram also added that 'suitable action in accordance with the law shall be taken once the order is served.'
(With agency inputs)
